Wayne, Ill. – The annual showcase of dressage talent that is the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (FOC) kicks off today, Aug. 19, at HITS Chicago Lamplight Equestrian Center in Northern Illinois. The event runs for seven days and features the USEF Para Dressage National Championship alongside a full slate of championships with a focus on youth equestrians and young and developing horses. The 16 national championships contested at FOC are: Neue Schule/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National...

Wayne, Ill. – The final day of the 2024 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions brought the final five divisions to a close with new champions adding their names to the list of greats who have topped the classes at this prestigious event. Sunday at HITS Chicago Lamplight Equestrian Center featured a diverse cross-section of the classes offered at FOC, from young and developing horses to children and young riders and a dressage seat equitation final. Autumn Vavrick and Dante. ©Leslie...

Wayne, Ill. – Thursday marked the midway point of the 2024 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions and brought the second national championship title as the Intermediaire I division wrapped up with their freestyle tests. A full day of competition in two rings at HITS Chicago Lamplight Equestrian Center saw a total of seven divisions contested. Sabine Schut-Kery and Sonnenberg's Jersey. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Neue Schule/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship A trio...

Lexington, Ky. – Thursday at the 2024 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall & Sterling brought another full day of pony hunter excellence and the exciting first round for pony jumpers along with the ever-popular Pony Finals golf cart parade. Lillian Thomas and Sun's Up. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Kickapoo Ponies/USEF Small Regular Pony Hunter National Championship The small greens had their turn over jumps today, navigating a course that challenged the riders’ skill...

Traverse City, Mich. – Top dressage continued on Saturday at the 2024 Discover Dressage/FEI North American Youth Dressage Championship presented by USDF . The Young Riders completed their individual tests in the morning and the U25 closed out the day, performing their musical freestyles in an evening session at Flintfields Horse Park. Kat Fuqua and Dreamgirl. ©Avery Wallace/US Equestrian FEI NAYC Young Rider Individual Championship Region 3’s Kat Fuqua (Atlanta, Ga.) earned her...

Versailles, France – The U.S. Olympic Jumping Team finished on the podium in today’s competitive Olympic Jumping Team Final, with a close finish between gold, silver, and bronze placings. The team finished on a total of four faults between the three team combinations, which clinched the silver medal. Great Britain took gold on two total faults, while host nation France, took bronze on seven total faults. This is the team’s ninth Olympic medal and third consecutive silver medal...

Ocala, Fla. – At the conclusion of four exciting days of driving competition at the 2024 Spring Fling CDE, five new USEF Combined Driving National Champions emerged. With both veteran teams and some new faces gracing the winner’s circle, it was an enticing look at some of what’s to come for the sport in the season ahead. Jacob Arnold with Kenzo and Kenji V. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Advanced Pair Horses National Champion: Jacob Arnold with Kenji V and Kenzo Jacob...

Temecula, Calif. – An exciting weekend at Southern California’s Galway Downs International came to its conclusion on Saturday with new national champions emerging in the CCI4*-L and CCI2*-L levels along with the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships presented by USEA for the CCI1*-Intro, CCI2*-L, and CCI3*-L levels. Scarlett Peinado and Shadow Inspector. ©Avery Wallace/US Equestrian USEF Eventing CCI1*-Intro Young Rider Championship presented by USEA Finishing her weekend...

Guy McLean Devon, PA – Life-long horseman and stuntman, Guy McLean, will appear at the 2014 Dressage at Devon Horse Show on September 26 though September 28 at the Devon Show Horse Grounds, Devon, PA. Exhibits will take place each day of the performance show. McLean and his team of horses have performed before millions all over the world, showing a level of communication and partnership between man and horse that most have never seen before. Like a choreographed performance, McLean can...

What is the equestrian demographic in North America? Surveys reveal it consists of women who, after a career, raising children, or both, have either returned to riding or are pursuing it as a life long dream. I fall into this demographic, having returned after both a career and children, and once again after major surgery. But where do we go to find training, a supportive community and a purpose in this endeavor? After much exploration, I was lucky enough to find Western Dressage through the...